Receptacle dumping mechanism



Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. sMlTH ETAL 2,948,426

RECEPTACLE DUMPING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 s R m.OE .O O m E T l fl, I. V llTZ m ail C MR T 11H --.2 n ,U l J NN l: o@ M7J... \NN f vm JF im d N0 b fr* |.I.|. IH lf' LL @H r QN e@ wm, fl m' nofor, u Mv. ma T Av w Nm ,I O m\^ w f mm om.

ROBERT w. SMITH ROBERT A.vAuOHAN BY CORBETT, MI'YIONEY, MIL ER RAMBO,ATTY'S.

M W ATTORNEYS Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. SMITH ETAL RECEPTACLE DUMPING MEcHAmsM4 Sheets-Shea?I 2 Filed Nov. 4, 1957 F F Tm n 4,3

FIG. 6

INVENTORS ROBERT W. SMITH ROBERT A. VAUGHAN FIG. 5

BY conan-1', mlguv, m LER e. muso, Ar'rv's.

ATToRNEf-z Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. SMITH r-:TAL

RECEPTACLE DUMPING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 4, 1957 FIG. lO

ROBERT w. SMITH INVENTORS ROBERT A. VAUGHAN BY CORSET-T, HONEY MILLERRMBO, ATTYS.

M ATTORNEYS Aug. 9, 1960 R. w. sMITH I-:T AL 2,948,426

RECEPTACLE DUI/IPING I/IECIIAIIIsI/I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 4, 1957'Il IIIIII. 6I

FIG. ll FIG. I2

INVENTORS FlG. |3 ROBERT w. SMITH ROBE RT A. VAUGHAN BY coaaETnBLAHoNEYMILLE a RAMeo, ATTYs.

M ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 2,948,426 RECEPTACLE DUlViPINGMECHANISM Robert W. Smith and Robert A. Vaughan, Columbus,

Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Dresser Industries, Inc.,Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 4, 1957, Ser. No.'694,229

13 Claims. (Cl. 214-314) This invention relates to receptacle dumpingmechanism. It has to do, more specifically, with mechanism for receivinga parts receptacle in association with a parts supply hopper and fortilting the receptacle to dump the parts contained therein into suchhopper from which they may be withdrawn for use.

It is common on production lines to provide parts supply hoppers fromwhich a workman or workmen can withdraw parts for use. Quite often thesehoppers are supplied with parts b-y dumping a drum, box or otherreceptacle full of the parts into the hopper. To prevent injury to theworkmen during this dumping operation, they must move away from thehopper during the operation which causes losses in production time.According to the present invention, the hopper is shielded to preventinjury to the workmen and a novel dumping arrangement is provided fordumping the receptacle when it is associated with the hopper.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide mechanism inassociation with a parts supply hopper or the like for receiving areceptacle and dumping it into the hopper, the mechanism being such thatthe dumping action is always under control.

Another object of this invention is to provide dumping mechanismassociated with a hopper or the like which is such that it can beactuated by the industrial lift truck or the like which lifts thereceptacle into association with the hopper.

Various other objects will be apparent.

The present invention may, as indicated above, be associated with aparts supply hopper and may include a receptacle receiving and lockingcarriage which is mounted Afor rocking movement at the upper endthereof. This carriage is provided with novel mechanism forautomatically locking the receptacle to the carriage upon tilting of thecarriage. It also includes an actuating frame which is mounted forvertical movement at the rear side of the hopper. It further includes anoperative connection between the vertically movable actuating frame andthe rockable receptacle-supporting carriage whereby vertical movement ofthe actuating frame will tilt the receptacle# supporting carriage todump the contents of the receptacle into the hopper. The pivotconnection of the carriage to the hopper is so located relative to thepivot connection of the actuating frame to the carriage that a downwardthrust will always be exerted on the actuating frame and, consequently,the carriage and supported receptacle will never swing freely out ofcontrol during the dumping operation. I

In the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated o ne embodiment ofthis invention but it is to be understood that specific details thereofmay be varied without departing from basic principles.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a parts supply hopper having thedumping mechanism of this invention associated therewith.

t walls of the hopper.

Patented Aug. 9, 1960y ice Figure 2 is an elevational view of thestructure shown in Figure 1 but taken at right angles thereto from theside where the receptacle is to be supplied.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through thereceptacle-receiving and locking carriage and showing the receptaclelocked thereon.

Figure 4 is a similar view but showing the receptacle unlocked from thecarriage.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1through the discharge gate of the hop# per.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 1through the guide structure provided for the vertically movableactuating frame.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 7-7 of Figure 3 through the receptacle receiving and lockingcarriage.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 8 8of Figure l and showing the pivot arrangement for supporting thereceptacle receiving and locking carriage for rocking movement.

Figure 9 is a detail in side elevation showing the Vertically movableactuating frame assocated with its verti cally disposed guide structure.

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation showing thereceptacle locked on its associated carriage and a fork-lift truckengaging the vertically movable actuating frame to start the receptacledumping operation. Figure l2 is a similar View showing the actuatingframe raised to an intermediate position to tilt the receptacleforwardly. y

Figure 13 is a similar view showing the actuating frame raised to theextent of its vertical movement with the receptacle thereby tilted intoposition to dump its contents into the hopper.

With particular reference to the drawings and especially to Figures land 2, the invention is shown associated with an upstanding parts supplyhopper 20 which may be fabricated in any suitable way. The hopperincludes a downwardly and forwardly inclined bottom 21 which directsparts, dumped into the hopper, through a discharge outlet 22 onto ashelf 23 which projects forwardly from the hopper. This shelf 23 will beat a convenient height for removal therefrom of parts by workmen in thevicinity thereof. Discharge of parts onto the shelf 23 is controlled bya vertically movable gate 24 mounted on the forward wall of the hopperin association with the outlet 22, as indicated best in Figures 1 and 5.rl`his gate may be adjusted to different vertical positions and set inposition by means of bolts 25 passing through flanges 26 on the sides ofthe gate and any of a plurality of pairs of openings 27 provided in theupstanding walls 28 disposed at the sides of the shelf 23. Thus, settingof the gate 24 will determine the size of the discharge outlet 22.

The top of the hopper (Figures 1 and 2) is open and it is also open atits rear side adjacent its upper end. The rear and upper open portion isprovided with upwardly and forwardly directed flanges 30 at each side.At its forward and upper corner, the hopper is provided with arearwardly opening upstandinig U-shape shield 31 which extends along theforward wall and portions of the side This shield 31 serves as furthershielding means to protect workmen withdrawing parts from the shelf 23during the dumping operation into `the hopper which will be describedlater. l l

The opening in the rear wall of the hopper and the open top of thehopper are provided for receiving a are@ e ceptacle rece1ving andlocking carriage 32 and the re ceptacle R to be supported thereon. Thisreceptacle R may be of any suitable type but is shown in the drawings asbeing of cubical box form. It is adapted to contain parts which are tobe dumped into the hopper 20. The receptacle is preferably provided atits sides with depending cleats or supports 33 (Figures 3 and 4) whichprovide a space beneath the receptacle and the surface on which thecleats 33 rest to permit the insertion of the forks of a fork-lift truckwhereby the receptacle can be easily handled. At the front and back ofthe receptacle R locking apertures 34 and 35, respectively, are providedfor receiving locking hooks which will be referred to hereinafter.

VThe carriage 32 is suspended from the upper edges of the side walls ofthe hopper and normally projects rearwardly beyond the side anges 361 atthe rear of the hopper, as indicated by full lines in Figure 1. Thissuspension is accomplished at each side by means of the suspending sling36 which has the diverging arms 37 that are rigidly connected at theirlower ends to transverse supporting angles 38 (Figures l, 3 and 4) whichcarry the carriage. The converging upper ends of the arms 37 of thesling are provided with outwardly extending trunnions 38a which trotatably in bearings 39 carried on the top edges of the side walls ofthe hopper, as indicated best in Figures l, 2, and 8. The trunnionmountings for the slings are disposed adjacent the rear ilanges 30, asindicated best in Figure 1. The trunnions and mountings are at a highlevel relative to the normal horizontal position of the carriage 32.

The carriage 32 further includes a sub-frame 40 rigidly connected to thetransverse members 38 and a receptaclesupporting frame 41 mounted on thesub-frame 46 by means of the anti-friction supporting rollers 42, thisarrangement being shown best in Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8. The frame 41 isprovided with channel members 43 at its sides which rest on the rollers42 (Figure 8) and the frame 40 is provided with outwardly extendingflanges 44 which overlap the adjacent channels 43 to retain the frame 41on the rollers 42. Thus, the frame 41 is mounted for forward andrearward movement on the frame 40.

Upstanding from the forward side of the frame 40 of the carriage 32,intermediate the sides thereof, is a receptacle locking hook 45. Theforwardly extending locking point 46 of the hook is at a proper level sothat when the receptacle R is supported on the frame 41 of the carriage32, the forwardly opening locking opening 34 will be at a proper levelfor receiving the point 46, a's indicated in Figure 4. Anchored to thehook 45 and extending forwardly therefrom is a plunger rod 47 of aspring plunger unit. This rod extends slidably through transversesupports 48 of the frame 41. At its outer end, the rod is threaded andis provided with a nut 49 which engages one of the members 48 at therear side thereof. Fixed to the rod forwardly of the member 48 justmentioned is a nut 50 and between this nut 50 and such member 48 is acompression spring 51. Thus, the spring plunger unit is connectedbetween the frame 41 and the frame 40 and tends to move the frame 41rearwardly of the frame 40, as indicated in Figure 4. Rearward movementof the frame 41 relative to the frame 40 is limited by an L-shaped link52 which is connected to the rear side of the frame 40 by a pivotconnection 53. This link extends rearwardly under the frame 41 and thenupwardly where it is pivotally connected at 54 to the shorter arm of abell crank lever 55. This lever 55 is also a receptacle ylocking hookand is pivoted at 56 for vertical swinging movement between a pair ofrearwardly extending lugs 57 carried by the slidable frame 41. The outerend of this lever 55 is provided with the locking point 57 which isadapted to be inserted in the opening 35 at the rear end of thereceptacle when the 'latter is locked to the frame 41. In normalcondition, the spring 51 forces the frame 41 rearwardly of the frame 40and swings the hook lever 55 downwardly, as shown in Figure 4. To lockthe receptacle R to the carriage 32, as will be explained more in detaillater, the frame 41 is moved forwardly of the frame 40.

In order to rock the carriage 32, with the receptacle R locked thereon,about the axes of the trunnions 38a, an actuating frame 6) is mountedfor vertical movement at the rear side of the hopper 20. This frame 60lis provided with anti-friction guide rollers 61 at its sides whichoperate in vertically disposed tracks 62 provided at the sides of thehopper, this track and guide structure being shown best in Figures l, 2,9, and 10. The tracks 62 are in the form of inwardly opening channelsand are attached to the frame of the hopper 20 by means of brackets 63.The vertically movable actuating frame 60 is provided with theupstanding connecting rods 64 which are pivoted at their upper ends, asindicated at 65, to the rear corners of the frame 40 of the carriage, asshown best in Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 7. The frame 60 can rock about theaxes of the guide rollers 61 and is pivoted t0 the carriage 32 forswinging movement about the axes 65. To limit upward and downwardmovement of the frame 6G Vso that it will not leave the tracks 62, astop member 66 (Figures 6 and l0) is provided at the upper and lower endof each track. These stop members will engage the rollers 61, asindicated in Figure l0, to prevent movement of the rollers out of thetracks. The frame 60 includes the transverse bars 67 and 68 (Figure 2)which are disposed in spaced relationship at its lower end.

The various p-arts of the apparatus have now been described and `theoperation thereof will be understood from the following description andreference to the drawings. Assuming that the receptacle R is not yet inposition on the carriage 32, the receptacle lled with parts may belifted by means of a fork-lift truck to such a level that it can bemoved forwardly onto the frame 41 of the carriage 32 which will besuspended in horizontal position, as indicated in full lines inFigure 1. When the receptacle is initially positioned on the carriage,the frame 41 will be in its rearwardrnost position and the hook lever 55will be swung down into its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 4.The spring 51 will hold the frame 41 in its rearward position, as shownin Figure 4, until the carriage '32 is tilted forwardly. When thecarriage is tilted forwardly suflciently, the frame 41 will slideforwardly relative to the frame 40, compressing the spring 51, and theopening l34 will be moved over the point 46 of the for-wardmost hook 45.Forward sliding movement off the frame 41 will also pull the hook lever55 upwardly and forwardly causing it to pivot about the pivots 56 andS4. This will project the point 57 thereof into the opening 35 of thereceptacle. The strength of the spring 51 will be insufficient to returnthe frame 41 to its original rearwardmost position on the frame 40 untilthe carriage again nears horizontal position.

The carriage 32 is rocked to dump the contents of the receptacle in themanner illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 11 to 13 and the samelift truck which positioned the receptacle R on the carriage 32 can beused to actuate the dumping mechanism. For this purpose, the fork of thetruck is engaged beneath the transverse rod 67 at the lower side of theactuating frame 60. The frame 60 can then be lifted by vertical movemento-f the fork. As indicated in Figure 12, the initial vertical movementof the carriage will move the pivot axes 65, which are offset relativeto the axis 38a, upwardly and rearwardly as the carriage 32 rocks aboutthe trunnion axes 38a. The lower end of the carriage 60 and the rods 64will rock about the aXes Vof the rollers 61. Continued movement of thecarriage will tilt the receptacle R forwardly and downwardly but theoifset pivofts 38a and 65 are so related that the weight of the carriage32 and the receptacle R always exerts a downward thrust on-the rods 64and the carriage and its supported receptacle will never swing freelyout of control. During the entire dumping operation, gravity will keepthe frame 41 forwardly of the frame 40. i

After the contents of the receptacle R are dumped into the hopper 20,the fork of the truck is lowered and the actuating fname 60 will bereturned by its own weight and the weight of the carriage 32 andsupported receptacle to its lowermost position because the carriage 32will automatically rock back into horizontal position. As shown inFigure 4, as soon as the carriage 32 reaches horizontal position, theframe 41 will automatically be moved rearwardly of the frame 40, due tothe action of the spring 51. This will swing the hook lever 55downwardly into unlocking position and will move the receptacle oi thehook point 46 of the forward hook 45. Then, the forklift truck may beused in removing the unlocked receptacle from the carriage.

lIt will be apparent from the above that this invention provides a noveland effective dumping mechanism which can be associated with a partssupply hopper or other similar structure. The dumping mechanism is suchthat the receptacle Will be locked to the dumping carriage automaticallywhen it is properly positioned on the carriage and the carriage istilted forwardly. Furthermore, the same lift truck can be used foractuating the dumping mechanism. During the time the receptacle is beingdumped, it will always be under control Iand will not swing freely. Assoon as the dumping operation is completed and the carriage with thereceptacle thereon is returned to upright position, the receptacle willbe automatically unlocked from the carriage and can then be removed bythe lift truck.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles ofthis invention have been explained and have been illustrated anddescribed in what is now considered to represent the best embodiment.However, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as speciicallyillustrated and described.

Having thlus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. In combination with a hopper or the like for receiving the contentsof a receptacle to be dumped therein, dumping mechanism mounted on saidhopper, said dumping mechanism comprising a receptacle receivingcarriage which is mounted for rocking movement relative to the hopper,an actuating frame mounted for reciprc` catingV movement on the hopper,an operative connection between the reciprocable actuating frame and thereceptacle carriage for rocking the neceptacle carri'age uponreciprocation of the actuating frame, and mechanism for locking thereceptacle to the carriage and Iactuated by rocking of the carriage saidlocking mechanism comprising locking members fixed on the carriage forengaging one side of the receptacle when it it is moved intoreceptacle-dumping position and locking levers pivoted to the carriagefor engaging the other side of the receptacle when the carriage is movedinto such position, and an actuating mechanism mounted for movement onrthe carriage towards said fixed locking members and connected to saidlocking levers for swinging them into engagement with said receptaclewhen said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position, saidactuating mechanism including yieldable means for normally swinging saidlocking levers out of receptacle-engaging position.

2. The combination of claim l in which the hopper is an upright hopperand the receptacle carriage is mounted adjacent the upper end thereoffor receiving the receptacle in upright position and rocking it todischarge the contents into the hopper, and the actuating frame of thedumping mechanism is mounted for vertical movement along one side of thehopper.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the carriage is suspended inhorizontal position from a pivot axis transversely of the hopper and theconnection between the actuating frame land the receptacle carriage isapivot connection disposed rearwardly and below said pivot taxis whenthe carriage is in normal horizontal position.

4. A receptacle dumping structure comprising a supporting frame, areceptacle receiving carriage mounted for rocking movement on the trame,`an actuating unit mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame, anoperative connection between the reciprocable actuating unit and thereceptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage uponreciprocation of the actuating unit, and mechanism for locking thereceptacle to the carriage and operable automatically upon rocking ofthe carriage said locking mechanism comprising locking means fixed onthe carriage for engaging one side of the receptacle when the carriageis moved into receptacle-dumping position and locking means pivoted tothe carriage for engaging the other side of the receptacle when thecarriage is moved intosuch position, and actuating mechanism mounted formovement on the carriage towards said xed locking means and connected tosaid pivoted locking means for causing engagement thereof with saidreceptacle when said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position,said actuating mechanism including yieldable means for normally swingingsaid pivoted locking means out of receptacle-engaging position.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the frame is upright and has thereceptacle ycarriage pivoted thereon and initially in position toreceive an upright receptacle but being rockable forwardly of the frameto discharge its contents, 'and the actuating unit is mounted forvertical movement at the rear side of the frame.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which the carriage is suspended from apivot axis transversely of the frame |and is normally in horizontalposition and the connection between the actuating unit and thereceptacle carriage is a pivot connection disposed rearwardly and belowsaid pivot axis.

7. In combination with a hopper or the like for receiving the contentsof a receptacle to be dumped therein, dumping mechanism mounted on saidhopper, said dumping mechanism comprising a receptacle-receivingcarriage which is mounted for rocking movement relative to .the hopper,an actuating frame mounted for reciprocating movement on the hopper, anoperative connection between the reciprocable actuating frame and thereceptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage uponreciprocating of the actuating frame, mechanism for` `locking thereceptacle to the carriage and actuated by rocking of the carriage, saidcarriage comprising a sub-frame and a supporting frame movable thereon,said locking mechanism being actuated by relative movement of saidframes, a yieldable unit between said fname-s for normally maintainingthem in receptacle-releasing relationship, said yieldable unitcomprising a plunger unit, said locking mechanism comprising a ixed hookat one end of the sub-frame, said supporting fname being normallymaintained away from said hook by said plunger unit, and a pivoted hookswingable towards said fixed hook upon relative movement of said framesagainst the force of said plunger unit.

8. A receptacle dumping structure comprising a supporting frame, areceptacle-receiving carriage mounted for rocking movement on the frame,an actuating unit mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame, anoperative connection between the reciprocable actuating unit and thereceptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage uponreciprocation of the actuating unit, and mechanism for locking thereceptacle to the carriage and operable automatically upon rocking ofthe carriage, said frame being upright and having the receptaclecarriage pivoted thereon and initially in position to receive an uprightreceptacle but being rockable forwardly of the frame to discharge itscontents, said actuating unit being mounted for vertical movement at therear side of the frame, said carriage being suspended from a pivot axis...7 transversely of the frame and being normally in'horizontalposition, said connection between the actuating unit and the receptaclecarriage being a pivot connection .disposed rearwardly and below saidpivot axis, said carriage comprising a sub-frame and a supporting framemovable thereon, said locking mechanism being actuated by relativemovement of said frames, a yieldable unit between said frames fornormally maintaining them in receptaclereleasing relationship, saidyieldable unit being `a plunger unit, said locking means comprising axed hook at one end of the sub-frame, said supporting frame beingnormatlly maintained away from said hook by said plunger unit, and apivoted hook swingable towards said'iixed hook upon relative movement ofsaid frames against the force of said plunger unit.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which the spring plunger unit yieldsupon forward and upward rocking of the carriage.

10. In combination with a hopper or the like for receiving the contentsof `a receptacle to be dumped therein, dumping mechanism mounted on saidhopper, said dumping mechanism comprising a receptacle-receivingcarriage which is mounted for rocking movement reliative to the hopper,an actuating frame mounted for reciprocating movement on the hopper, anoperative connection between the reciprocable actuating frame and thereceptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage uponreciprooation of the actuating frame, mechanism for locking thereceptacle to the carriage and actuated by rocking of the carriage, saidlocking mechanism comprising locking members fixed on the carriage forengaging one side of the receptacle when it is moved intoreceptacle-dumping position `and locking levers pivoted to the carriagefor engaging the other side of the receptacle when the carriage is movedinto such position, and an lactuating mechanism mounted for movement onthe carriage towards said fixed locking members and connected to saidlocking levers for swinging them into engagement with said receptaclewhen said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumping position, saidcarriage comprising `a subframe and a supporting frame movable thereon,said actuating mechanism including said movable frame which is connectedto said locking levers.

11. The combination of claim 10 including a yieldable unit between saidframes for normally maintaining them in receptacle-re leasingrelationship.

12. A receptacle dumping structure comprising a supportingl frame, areceptacle-receiving carriage mounted for rocking movement on the frame,an actuating unit mounted for reciprocating movement on the frame,operative connection between the reciprocable actuating unit and thereceptacle carriage for rocking the receptacle carriage uponreciprocation of the actuating unit, and mechanism for locking thereceptacle to the carriage and operable automatically upon rocking ofthe carriage, said locking mechanism comprising locking means fixed onthe carriage for engaging one side of the receptacle when the carriageis moved into receptacledumping position and locking means pivoted tothe carriage for engaging the other side of the receptacle when thecarriage is moved into such position, and actuating mechanism mountedfor movement on the carriage towards said fixed locking means andconnected to said pivoted locking means for causing engagement thereofwith said receptacle when said carriage is moved into receptacle-dumpingposition, said carriage comprising a subframe and a supporting framemovable thereon, said actuating mechanism including said movable framewhich is connected to said pivoted locking means, said frame beingupright and having the receptacle carriage pivoted thereon and initiallyin position to receive an upright receptacle but being rockableforwardly of the frame to discharge its contents, said actuating unitbeing mounted for vertical movement at the rear side of the frame, saidcar-riage being suspended from a pivot axis transversely of the frameand being normally in horizontal position, said connection between theactuating unit and the recep-` -tacle carriage being a pivot connectiondisposed rearwardly and below said pivot axis, said carriage comprisinga subi-rame and a supporting frame movable thereon, said actuatingmechanism including said movable frame which is connected to saidpivoted locking means.

13. The combination of claim 12 including a yieldable unit between saidframes for normally maintaining them in receptacle releasingrelationship. i

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,136,068 Allen Nov. 8, 1938 2,633,258 Temple Mar. 31, 1953 2,744,642Sewell et al. May 8, 1956 2,794,575 Hall June 4, 1957

